Padmavati

How should a contest between history and literature be resolved?

On 27 Jan 17, miscreants allegedly from the Karni Sena, disrupted the shooting of the Film Padmavati being produced by Sanjay Leela Bansali, in Jaipur. They misbehaved with the producer, damaged cinema equipment and stopped the production. On 31 Jan 17, Bansali Productions, Pvt Ltd issued a statement saying misunderstandings regarding the content of the film Padmavati were clarified with Shree Rajput Sabha (SRS). SRS is a registered society working towards the social development of Rajput society. SRS were able to arrange a meeting of the producers with several Rajput organizations including the Karni Sena.

The film maker assured the Rajputs that careful research would be undertaken and there would be no distortion of facts. Also, there would be no romantic scene, song or dream sequence, between Rani Padmavati and Allahudin Khilji.

Who is Padmavati?

Padmavati is a legendary 13th Century Queen of Chittoor, Rajasthan. According to folklore, Alauddin Khilji, the medieval ruler of Delhi fell in love with the queen and invaded Chittoor. However, the queen chose to jump into a pyre rather than succumb to the invading army.

Where do lines between History & Literature Blur?

The story of Padmini, also called Padmavati, has not been completely corroborated with historical evidence. The first account of Queen Padmini is in the form of an Urdu poem written 200 years after her reported death, in 1303. The stories of Anarkali and Jodha Bai are also similar accounts of fictional accounts becoming part of a historical understanding.

Even in the Western society, popular historical characters like Homer and King Arthur are also believed to have taken roots in literary fiction, passed on for generations.

Assessment

There is a powerful relationship between History and Literature. Objective research, often comes to a point, where it is difficult to discern, which is the root and which is the fruit. Much as we would like History (and fact) to be the root, folklore exaggerated by Literature can appear compellingly authentic. If movies are to be tested in the box office, there is perhaps wisdom in acquiescing to the will of the people.

Sources: Hindustan Times, Times of India, India Today